Tying machine



Sept. 23, 1941. M. STEINER 2,256,532

TYING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet l M F g.1. f 1s a I INVENTOR. MAX STE/IVER ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 23, 1941. $TE|NER 2,256,532

TYING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MA x 5 TE INER k ATTORNEYS.

P 23, M. STEINER 2,256,532

TYING MACHINE Filed Ma -4] 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet :5

INVENTOR. MA STE/NEH TTORNEYS.

M. STEINER Sept. 23, 1941.

TYING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

N a E T m S M m M M A w Sept. 23, 1941.

. M.-STEINER 2,256,532 I 'IYING MACHINE Filed May 4," 1940 Hil 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 wfL/ INVENTOR. M A x STE/IVER ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE Claims.

This invention relates to a textile machine and refers more particularly to a machine for tying comparatively short threads upon a longer thread or yarn.

In my co-pending application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 308,913, filed December 13, 1939, relating to Novelty yarns and methods of manufacturing the same, I have described a novelty yarn having a plurality of knots carrying comparatively short threads, pile beams, or the like, which extend through these knots and/or are suspended therefrom.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a machine for manufacturing novelty yarns of this type.

Another object is the provision of a tying machine which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and eifective in operation and which can be utilized for tying short lengths of thread or the like upon another continuously supplied thread.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In accomplishing the objects of the present invention it was found desirable to provide a machine comprising a plurality of flights arranged in the form of an endless belt, and moving for a part of their way along a stretched yarn. Each of these flights is engaged in a suitable position by a flight operating mechanism which causes a device carried by each flight to engage a portion of the yarn, twist it, form a knotted loop therein and then project a thread or the like through that loop, whereupon a small piece of the projected thread is out ofi, the loop is tied into a knot by tensioning the yarn and the connection between the stretched yarn and that flight is interrupted.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing, by way of example, a possible embodiment of the inventive idea.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a novelty yarn made on a machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating on an enlarged scale a fabric made in part from the novelty yarn shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a piece of fabric having the mottled effect produced by the yarn shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section along the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a section along the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figures 6 to 13 are perspective diagrammatic views illustrating the manner in which the machine operates to tie a knot on the yarn and to pass a piece of thread therethrough.

Figure 14 shows the machine in side elevation.

Figure 15 is a vertical section along the line l5-I5 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a plan view on an enlarged scale, looking in the direction of the arrows 16-16 of Figure 14.

Figure 17 is a vertical section along the line l1-|1 of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a vertical section along the line Iii-l8 of Figure 1'7.

Figure 19 is a section showing the thread inserting mechanism illustrated in Figure 18 on a larger scale.

Figure 20 shows the knotting arm in section on an enlarged scale.

Figure 21 is a section along the line 2l2| of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a section along the line 22-22 of Figure 20; and

Figure 23 shows a part of the knitting arm in section to illustrate the knot tying operation.

In general, Figures 14 to 23 of the drawings show a machine for making the novelty yarn illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, while the operation of the machine is indicated diagrammatically in Figures 6 to 13.

The machine comprises a flight drive shown in Figure 14, a yarn feed shown in Figures 14 and 15 and a flight operating mechanism shown best in Figures 17 and 18. Each of the flights is provided with a knotting mechanism shown in Figures 1'7, 18 and 20 to 23, and a thread inserting mechanism shown best in Figures 18 and 19. Figure 18 also shows the thread clamp and the thread cutter.

The flight drive comprises supports or legs 30 (Figures 14 and 15) carrying a cam supporting table 3| riveted to the supports 30 by the angle irons 32.

The supports 30 also carry brackets 34 serving as carriers for guide rails 35. The rails 35 are used for guiding the return movement of the flights 36.

As shown in Figures 14, 16 and 18, the flights 36 constitute an endless chain the upper part of which is moved in parallel grooves 56 and 51 'afteitprovided in the table 3!, while the lower part is moved along guides 35.

Two sprocket wheels 31 and 33 are situated at opposite ends of the table 3| and are carried by stanchions or pillow blocks 39 and 49, respectively.

The sprocket 31 is mounted upon a shaft 4i carried by two stanchions 39 (Figure 15). The sprocket 38 is carried in a similar manner by the shaft 42, supported by stanchions 49.

As shown in Figure 14, the flights 35 which constitute an endless chain, extend over the sprockets 31 and 38. I The machine drive includes a motor 43 the shaft 44 of which carries a bevel wheel 45 meshing with a bevel wheel 66 which is integral with the worm 47. A gear wheel 53 meshes with a endless chain 53. The chain 53 passes over a wheel 54 (Figure 15) which is firmly mounted upon the sprocket shaft 4|. Thus, the rotation of the sprocket 38 is transmitted to the sprocket 31. The yarn-56 upon which the threads 29 are to be attached, is supplied by a feed cone 59 and passes overa guide 60; a roll 6| and a tensioning roll 62 carried by a lever 63 and loaded by the spring 54. The yarn '58 extends at a certain distance above the cam supporting table 3! thus making it possible for the flights 36 to carry out :the tying operations upon the yarn. Then the yarn passes over an eye'55, another eye 66 and is wound upon a take-up roll 61. The roll 57 is carried by arms 68 which are pressed by springs I59 against a winding cylinder 10 provided with grooves H (Figure 15) and used to wind the yarn 58 in the form of helical coils.

The shaft "of the winding cylinder Ii! carries a sprocket I3 which is keyed upon thatshaft and which carries the endless chain drive 15 The sprocket shafts! carries a sprocket 15. which is also embraced by the chain 14. Thus, the rotation of the sprocket 3'! is transmitted by the shaft 4 I the wheel 15, the chain I4, the wheel I3 and the shaft 72 to the winding cylinder '10.

The flight operating mechanism is carried by the table 3! and is best illustrated in Figures 17 and 18. This mechanism includes a support 76 which is riveted to the table 3| and carries a cam ll having a downwardly inclined surface 78, a horizontal surface .19, another downwardly inclined surface 86, asecond horizontal surface 8|. and an upwardly inclined surface 82; another .support'83 which is riveted to the table 3| carries a rack 64.

A second rack 85 is carried by a support 85. A second cam 87 is carried by a support 88 and includes a downwardly inclined surface 89, a horizontal surface 96 and an upwardly inclined surface'9l. The earns 17 and 81 and the racks 85 and 85 must be situated at a predetermined distance from each other and from other parts of the machine to enable the mechanismrcarried by the flights 33 tofunction'properly. The purpose'of the cams and racks and the operation of the mechanism will be described in detail herein- 'Ihe flights 36' are best illustrated in Figures 16 I worm 47 and is firmly connected by theshaft A9 with a pinion 5i! embraced by an endless chain 5 I The shaft 42 is firmly connected with a gear of r 2,256,532 a V a to 18. Each of the flights 36 includes a horizontal supporting portion 93 and two side portions 94 and 95 (Figure 18), and is provided with four eyes or sleeve 96 (Figure 16) which extend close to corresponding sleeves provided in the adjacent flights. Ribs orweb 99 extend between the upper portion 93 and the sides 94 and 95 of the flights 36. Pins or axles 91 pass through pairs of-adjacent sleeves belonging to different flights and thus pivotally connect the flights with each other. The axles 9'! also carry wheels 93 which are used for moving the flights along the table 3i and the guides 35.

The portion 93 of each flight carries yarn tensioning wires I00 and II. The bottom ends of these wires are attached to the horizontal portion 93 of the flight. The wires are bent toward each other and have long parallel portions which extend horizontally and which terminate in hooked ends I52.

The wires I and Il'II are adapted to engage from underneath the yarn 58 and are usedfto tension that portion of the 'yarn which is situated between them.

The looping mechanism of each flight 36 comprises an elongated tube I53 which extends through a vertical sleeve I94 provided in the'horizcntal portion 93 of the flight. A gear wheel I is keyed upon the tube I93. The lower end I of the tube I53 has the form of a flange or wheel provided with inner screw threads which areengaged by the outer screw threads of a sleeve or stopper H95. An annular ri'b- II is situated within the tube I53 intermediate the ends of the tube and serves as an abutment for a disc I68 which is 'firmly connected with a rod I69. The rod exspring I63 engages thesleeve' I04. The upper end of the tube I93 consists of two parallel supports H3 and I I4 carrying a'pivot or pin II5, as best shown in Figures 20 to 22. One'end of the pin H5 is hollow and carries an insulating tube H6. A conducting contact II'I having the form of a bolt is situated within the tube I I6 andis conductively connected with another insulated contact IIS. A conducting wire H9 is operatively connected with the contact I I8. H

A gear wheel I20 is keyed upon the pin I I5 and V meshes with the rack I I2.

The knotting arm I2I i provided with two parallel prongs or end portions I22 and I23 which are firmly mounted upon the pin H5 and are rotatable therewith. Washers I25 separate the portions I22 and I23 of thearm 'I 2| from the supports H3 and H4. The inte'rior'of thearm I21 is hollow and contains a solenoid (1011125, one end of which is attached to the wire I'I9. The-opposite end of the solenoid coil I25 is connected with agrounded wire I26. Q

The movable core I 890i the'solenoid I25 is pivotally connected at I'2'1with'one end of a cone nectingrod I28, the 'opposite'end of Which'is eccentrically pivoted at I29 to a disc I39. The disc I35 is mounted within The free end of the arm I2I is bifurcated and the arm I2I by a pin has two ends I32 and I33 separated by a slot I34. A passage I35 extends through the end I32 and I33 and contains an eye I36 having the form of a sleeve the ends of which constitute arms I31 which may be integral with the disc I30.

As shown in Figure 16, the contact H1 is adapted to engage an angular conducting element 200. The conducting element 200 (Figure 18) is insulated from the angular conducting element I38 by means of the insulating strip 204. The element 200 is also connected to the positive side of the power source I55 at 203 by means of the screw connection I and the wire 202. Thus when the contact I I1 engages the conducting element 200 the solenoid I is energized.

The thread inserting device is best shown in Figures 18 and 19 and is carried by a support I43 which is screwed to the upper surface of the flight 36. The upper portion of the support I43 has the form of a hollow cylinder I44 containing an elongated tube I45.

The tube I45 constitutes the movable core of a solenoid having a solenoid coil I46. The tube I45 contains the thread 29 which is wound in the form of a package I92 situated within a cartridge I93 which is integral with the tube I45. One end of the thread 29 projects out of the end I9I of the tube I45. A spring I90 presses against the cartridge I93 and a plate I95 attached to the casing I44. The spring I98 maintains the tube I45 in the position shown in Figure 19.

One end of the solenoid coil I46 is grounded to the frame at I4'I while the other end is conductively connected by a conducting bolt I49 with a clip contact I48. The contact I48 is mounted upon the cylinder I44 and is insulated therefrom.

As shown in Figure 18, in a predetermined position of the flight 36, the contact I48 is adapted to engage a conducting plate I50 which is screwed to an insulating plate I5I. The insulating plate I5I is carried by the bent end of a bracket I52 which is riveted to the table 3 I A conducting bolt I53 which is insulated from the bracket I52 connects the conducting plate I59 with a wire I54 leading to the terminals I55 of a source of electrical energy.

The clamping device for the thread 29 is carried by a support I56 which is riveted to the table 3I. The support I56 carries a bracket I51 which is connected by bolts to the arm I40.

The arm I40 is firmly connected'with the immovable arm I58 of the clamping device. The movable arm I59 of the clamp is pivoted intermediate its ends at I60 to the arm I40 and its opposite end is connected by a rod I6I with the movable core I62 of a solenoid I63.

A wire I64 connects one end of the coil of the solenoid I63 with the conducting bolt I39 and the angular contact member I38. The opposite end of the solenoid coil is connected by the wire I65 with the terminals I55.

The clamping device is actuated as soon as a grounded contact clip I4I which is carried by the flight 36 is brought into contact with the conducting element I38.

The thread cutting device is also carried by the bracket I56 and includes a solenoid I66, the movable core of which is connected with an arm I6'I carrying the knives I68. One end of the coil of the solenoid I66 is connected by the Wires I69 and I'Iil to one of the terminals I55 and to the ground. The opposite end of the coil of the solenoid I66 is connected to a time switch III which is connected to the other one of the terminals I55 by the wire I65.

The machine is operated as follows:

When the motor 43 (Figure 14) is started, the rotation of its shaft 44 will be transmitted by the bevel gears 45 and 46, the worm 41, the gears 48 and 50, the chain 5I, the sprocket 52 and the shaft 42, to the flight supporting sprocket 38, so that this sprocket will be rotated in the direction of the arrow I80. The chain drive 53 will transmit this rotation to the sprocket wheel 31 so that the endless belt of flights 36 will move in the direction of the arrows I8I.

At the same time, the chain drive I4 will actuate the winding roll I0, so that the yarn 58 will be unwound from the feed cone 59 and will pass through the guide 60 and over the rolls 6| and 62.

Between the roll 62 and the eye 65, the yarn 58 will extend horizontally at a predetermined distance above the table 3| and close to the flights 36 travelling upon that table. The position of this horizontally stretched part of the yarn 58 relatively to the flights 36 is such that as soon as a flight 36 is moved by the sprocket 38 to a horizontal position in alignment with the table 3I, the arms I00 and NH of that flight will engage the yarn 58 from underneath, while the knotting arm IZI will extend above the yarn 58 and will engage the yarn from above. This is accomplished by the provision of any suitable guide (not shown) which is well known in the art, which will not interfere with the movement of the flight into its horizontal position and which will enable the knotting arm I2I to engage the yarn from above. This position is shown diagrammatically in Figure 6 of the drawings.

The yarn 56 will move along with the flights 36, due to the rotation of the winding roll l0 (Figure The position shown in Figure 6 is maintained until a flight 36 reaches the cam 11. As shown in Figure 17, the downwardly inclined surface I8 of the cam I1 is so disposed in relation to the flights that the cam follower or wheel I05 carried by a flight will engage the upper end of the inclined surface I8, in the course of the forward movements of that flight in the direction of the arrow I82. The wheel I05 will move downwardly along the surface I8, and the tube I03 and the knotting arm I2I will move along with the wheel I05, thereby compressing the spring I83. Thus, the knotting arm I2I tensions the portion of the yarn 5B, situated between the supports I00 and IOI and pulls this portion downwardly, as it is indicated diagrammatically in Figure 7.

As soon as the lower end of the surface I8 (Figures 17 and 18) is reached, the gear wheel I carried by the tube I63 is brought into engagement with the teeth of the rack 85 carried by the support 86. In the course of the further movement of the flight, the engagement of the immovable rack 85 with the moving gear I05 causes the tube I03 and the arm I2I to turn flrstly to the position shown in Figure 8, then to the position shown in Figure 9 and finally to the position shown in Figure 10, thereby winding the yarn 58 in the form of a loop upon the arm IZI. The rack 85 is so dimensioned that it causes the arm I2I to turn to a total extent of 270 degrees.

While the gear I85 is in engagement with the rack 85, the wheel I05 slides along the horizontal surface 19 of the cam I'I (Figure 17). However, as soon as the wheel I85 leaves the rack 85 and while the wheel I35 is still in engagement with the horizontal surface I9, the lower wheel III is brought into engagement with the downwardly inclined surface 89 of the cam 87. Then; the

7 wheel III which is firmly connected to the rod I09 and the rack H2, is moved downwardly in relation to the tube I03. Since the rack I I2 is in engagement with the pinion I29 which is firmly connected to the arm IZI by the pin II 5, the downward movement of :the rack H2 will turn the pin H and thereby swing the arm I2I upwardly until it is moved intothe position shown in Figure 11. In the course of this upward movement of the arm I2I, a part of the thread 53 will move into the slot I34 of the arm I2I, as shown in Figure 11.

Due to the rotation of the tube I03 which was caused by the rack 35, the contact pin H1 is moved closely to the angular contact element 200 (Figures 16 and 18). As soon as the, movement of the flight 36 brings the pin II'I into engagement'with the conducting element 200 an electrical circuit will be established which will cause the energization of the solenoid I25 situated within the knotting arm I2I (Figure 18). This circuit will include one of the terminals I55, the wire 202, the conducting element 290, the contact III, the contact II8 (Figure 20), the wire I I9 and the solenoid coil I25. As already stated, the second terminal I55 and the other end of the coil I are both grounded.

The solenoid coil I25 (Figure 20) will be energized and its core I89 will move outwardly along with the rod I28, thereby turning the disc I about its pivot I3! and swinging the eye I36 from the position shown in Figure 20 to the position shown in Figure-23. In the latter position the eye I is situated within the slot I34 and below that portion of the thread 53'which was moved within the slot I35. 1

Shortly after this movement of the eye I36 has taken place, the wheel I05 (Figure 17) of the flight 36 reaches the end of the horizontal surface I9 of the cam 17. Thereafter the wheel I05 will slide downwardly along the inclined surface 80 of the cam I1, While the wheel I II will continue its downward movement along the surface 39 of the cam 87, so that no relative movements between the tube I03 and the rack II2 will take place and both the tube I63 and the rack I I2 will move jointly downwards. The loop of the yarn 58 which is wound around the arm I2I will slip off that arm and will be tensioned by the eye I33,

, as shown in Fig. 23.

Shortly thereafter, the further movement of the flight 36 will bring the contact I96 into engage ment with'the'conducting plate I59 (Figure 18). Then the thread inserting device will be actuated by the energization of the solenoid I46. An electrical current will flow from one of the terminals I55 through the wire I54, the conducting bolt I53 and the plate I to the spring contact I48 which is conductively connected with one end of the solenoid coil I96. As already stated, the other end of the terminals I55 and the other end of the solenoid coil I56 are both grounded to the frame of the machine.

The solenoid coil I36 will cause a movement of the end of the tube I45 through the passage I35. provided in the knotting arm I2I and through the eye I36, thereby compressing the spring I90. As shown in Figure 23, an end of ducting element I30. lhen another electrical circuit will be established and the current will flow from one of the terminals I55 throughthe wire I65 and the coil of the solenoid I63 to the wire I64, the conducting bolt I39, the conducting element I38 and the spring lei which isgrounded to the frame, as is the other one of the terminals I55. The solenoid I33 will be energized'and the solenoid core I62 will move downwardly along with the rod I6I,'thereby'swinging the arm I53 of the clamping device toward the arm I53 and clamping that end of the thread 29 which pro; jects outside of the tubeI 45.

Shortly thereafter, the continuous forward movement of the flight 36 will interrupt the contact between the plate I50 and thecontact I43. Then the solenoid I 46 will be deenergizedand the spring I will move the tube I45 back to the position shown in Figure 18. In the course of the return movement of the tube Hi5 some of the thread 29 will be unwound from the package I92 situated within the yarn cartridge I93 and will be stretched between the clamping device I53, I59 and the tube I45, extending through the eye I36 which engages the loop of the yarn 53 (Figure 23).

As already stated, the solenoid I66 (Figure 18) is operated intermittently by the time switch Ill. The solenoid I66 is connected by the wire I95, the time switch HI and the wires I69 and I10 to the terminals I55," so that the energization of the solenoid I66 depends solely upon the timing of the switch I'll.

The switch III is so set that as soon as the that piece of thread 29 which extends through the eye I 35. A small piece of thread remains clamped between the arms I53 and I59 and the position of the knives I68 is sochosen that after the'completion of the cutting. asmall piece of thread remains outside of the end I3I of the tube I45, thus making it possible to repeat the clamping operation with the next flight 39.

As soon as the piece of thread 29 has been cut oh, the time switch IN is deenergized and then the arm I6! is moved back into the position shown in Figur 18.

In the course of the further movement of the flight 36 the engagement between the spring contact MI and the conducting elementl33 is interrupted and then the, solenoid IE3 is deener- Shortly thereafter, the conducting pin III is moved by the flight 36 out of engagement with the conducting element 200. Then the solenoid coil I25 is deenergized and the solenoid core I89 will move inwardly, swinging the eye I33 back into the position shown in Figure 20. Then the cut oil portion of the thread 29 will be supported directly by the loop formed in the yarn 58. Since the yarn 58 is under tension caused by the tensioning roll 62 (Figure 14), the take up roll 61 and the downwardly moving arm I2I of a sub sequent flight 35, the loop formed in the thread 53 will be pulled to form a knot holding the piece of thread 29 intermediate its ends.

As shown in Figure 17, the upward movement of the cam'follower I05 along the upwardly inclined surface 82 of the cam 11 begins while the wheel II I continues its movement along the horizontalsurface 90 of the cam 81. Thus a relative movement of the tube H33 in relation to the rack H2 takes place and this relative movement causes the knotting arm [2| to swing from its Vertical position back into the horizontal position.

This relative movement is completed as soon as the wheel Ill terminates its motion along the horizontal surface 90 and proceeds to move upwardly along the upwardly inclined surface 9| of the cam 81. Thereafter the cam followers or wheels I05 and Ill move upwardly as a single unit until they both leave at the same time the surfaces 82 and 9| of the cams Tl and 81. Then,

the tube I03 is returned into its uppermost position illustrated in Figure 18.

.In the course of the continuing forward movement of the flight 36, the gear I85 engages the rack 84 (Figure 1'7) and as the flight 36 proceeds along the rack 84, the tube I03 is turned back to an extent of 270 degrees until it is returned to its initial position.

, The described operations are repeated as soon as each of the flights 36 is brought into a predetermined position upon the table 3|. Therefore, the yarn 58 will be provided with a plurality of short threads 29 which will be tied upon the yarn 58. The yarn carrying the short threads 29 will pass through the eye 65 shown in Figure 14, and will move over the eye 66 and into the groove 1! of the winding roll 10. The finished yarn will be wound in the form of helical coils upon the take up roll 61.

The completed novelty yarn is shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. It consists of a yarn 58 comprising several knots I91 carrying short pieces of thread 29.

It is advisable not to tie the knots I91 at equal distances from each other, but to vary in a suitable manner the distances between the individual knots.

This may be conveniently accom'- plished by varying the speed of movement of the nights 36 in relation to that of the thread 58 and can be accomplished by inserting blank flights into the endless chain, or by any well known means not illustrated in the drawings.

Whenever the novelty yarn shown in Figure 1 is used for weaving a fabric and constitutes the weft threads of that fabric, the threads 29 will extend between the warp threads I98, as indicated diagrammatically in Figures 2 to 5. The finished fabric which is shown in Figure 3 has an unusual mottled effect resulting from the presence of the knots I91 and threads 29.

It is apparent that the specific illustration shown above has been given by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and that the structures above described are subject to wide variation and modification without departing from the scope or intent of the invention, all of which variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a textile tying machine, in combination, means moving a yarn substantially in the direction of its length, means engaging said yarn intermediate its ends to form a knotted loop there in, means moving said yarn-engaging means substantially in the direction of movement of said yarn while said loop is being formed, means passing a thread through said loop, and means tensioning said yarn to cause said loop to form a knot holding said thread.

2. In a textile tying machine, in combination, a knotting arm engaging a stretched yarn, means moving said knotting arm relatively to said yarn to wind a portion of the yarn intermediate the ends of the yarn about said knotting arm to form a knotted loop in said portion of the yarn and to withdraw said knotting arm fromsaid loop, means passing a thread through said loop, and means tensioning said yarn to cause said loop to form a knot holding said thread.

3. In a textile tying machine, in combination, a knotting arm engaging a stretched yarn and having a bifurcated end comprising two prongs and a slot formed therein and extending between said prongs, means moving said knotting arm relatively to said yarn to wind a portion of the yarn intermediate the ends of the yarn about said knotting arm and through said slot to form a knotted loop in said portion of the yarn and to shift said knotted loop into said slot, means passing a thread through said loop, and means tensioning said yarn to cause said loop to withdraw from said slot and to form a knot holding said thread.

4. In a textile tying machine, in combination, a'knotting arm, means moving said knotting arm into contact with a stretched yarn over the latter and at substantially right angles thereto, means moving said knotting arm downwardly in relation to said yarn, means turning said knotting arm to wind a portion of the yarn intermediate the ends of the yarn about the outer surfaces of said knotting arm, means swinging said knotting arm toform a knotted loop in said portion of the yarn, means withdrawing said knotted loop from contact with the outer surfaces of said knotted arm, means passing a thread through said loop, and means tensioning said yarn to cause said loop to form a knot holding said thread.

5. In a textile tying machine, in combination,

extending between said prongs, means moving said knotting arm into contact with a stretched yarn over the latter substantially right angles thereto, means moving said knotting arm downwardly in relation to said yarn, means turning said knotting arm to wind a portion of the yarn intermediate the ends of the yarn about the outer surfaces of said knotting arm, means swinging said knotting arm to move adjacent to said wound yarn portion into said slot, whereby a knotted loop is formed in said portion of the yarn, means moving said knotting arm further downwards in relation to said yarn to withdraw said knotted loop from contact with the outer surfaces of said knottingarm and to move said knotted loop into said slot, means passing a thread through said loop, and means tensioning said yarn to cause said loop to form a knot holding said thread.

6. In a textile tying machine, in combination, a knotting arm, means moving said knotting arm while the latter extends horizontally into contact with a horizontally stretched yarn over said yarn and at substantially right angles thereto, means moving said knotting arm vertically downwards and turning it about a vertical axis to Wind a portion of the yarn inter mediate the ends of the yarn about the outer surfaces of said knotting arm, means swinging said knotting arm from the horizontal position to a vertical position to form a knotted loop in said portion of the yarn, means moving the :knotting arm further downwards to withdraw said :knotted loop from contact with the'outer surfaces of said knotted arm, means passing a thread through said loop, and means tensioning said'yarn to cause saidv loop to forma knot holding said thread.

7.;In .a textile tyingmachine, in combination, a knotting arm, supports situated on both sides of said yarn, and'having parallel portions, means moving said'knotting arm and said parallel portions of thesupports into contact with a stretched yarn over'the latter and at substantially right angles thereto-whilesaid knotting arm extends substantially in a plane extending through said portions of the support, means moving said knot- 1 ting arm downwardly in relation to said parallel portions of the supports, means turning said knotting arm about an axis perpendicular to said parallel portions of the supportsto wind the portion'of, the yarn situated between said parallel arm, means swinging "said knotting arm to a positionsubstantially at right angles to said parallel portions of the supports to form a knot ted loop in-said .portion of the yarn, means moving sai-dlknotting arm further downward in relation to said parallel portions of the supports to slip said knotted loop ofi said knotted arm, means passing a thread through said loop, and

means tensioning said yarn to cause said'loop to 'form a knot holding said thread.

a "-8. In a textile tying machine, in combination, a' knotting arm having .a bifurcated end comprising two prongs, .a slot formed therein and extending between said prongs, and a passage .formed in said prongs and extending at right angles to said slot, means moving said knotting arm into contact with a stretched yarn over the latterandat substantially right angles thereto, means moving said knottingarm downwardly in relation to said yarn, means turning said .knotting arm to wind a portion of the yarn intermediate the ends of the yarn about the outer surfaces of said knotting arm, means swinging asaid knotting arm to move the yarn adjacent to said wound yarn portion into-said slot, where- .by a knotted loop is formed in said portion of the yarn, means moving said knotting arm fur- .ther downwards in relation to said yarn to withof the yarn about the outer surfaces of said 20 portions of the supports about said knotting -draw said knotted loo-p from contact with the outersurfacesof said knotting, arm and tomove .said;knotted loop into said slot, .means passing a thread through said loop and said passage, and

means tensioning said yarn to cause said loop at substantially right angles thereto, meansmoving said knotting arm downwardly in relation'to said yarn, means turning said knotting arm to wind a portion ofthe yarn intermediatethe ends knotting'arm, means swinging said knotting arm to move the yarn adjacent to said wound yarnportion into said slot, whereby a knotted loop is formed in said portion of the yarn, means moving said knotting arm further downwards in relation to said yarn to withdraw Said knotted loop from contact with the outer surfaces of said knotting arm and to move said knotted loop into said slot, means passing a thread through said loop, means maintaining said loop within said slot while the thread is passed through said loop and thereafterreleasing said loop, and means tensioning said yarn to cause said loop to form a knot holding said thread.

10. In a textile tying machine, in combination, means moving a yarn substantially in the direction of its length, means engaging said yarn i intermediate of its length, a plurality of flights constituting an endless chain situated adjacent to said yarn, each of said flights comprising means engaging said yarn intermediate its ends to form a knotted looptherein, means moving said endless chain of flights to cause each of said flights to move inthe direction of'movement of said yarn while said loop is being formed by that yarn, and means said yarn to cause said loop to form a knot'holding said thread. I

MAXS'IEINER.

passing a thread through said loop, said yarn-moving means tensioning 

